Having had experience of both Mondeo and C5 diesels, I'll try to give you a balanced view:
Reliability - Nothing in it really - no major problems on either. Did have an injector let go on a 2002 Mondeo, but the C5 spent 3 days in the garage with noisy suspension.
Pulling Power - I've had a 2.2 HDi C5 and 2.0 TDCi 130 and 2.2 TDCi 155 Mondeo's. The 2.0 TDCi 130 is more torquey and has a wider powerband than the 2.2 HDi, and is untimately faster on the road. The HDi was the least economical and genuinely struggled to hit 40mpg in circumstances where both Mondeo's would do 45MPG+. The HDi is quieter when cold and at idle, but the TDCi is chain rather than belt driven so there are no cambelt changes. The HDi also has a particle which costs in the region of £400 to replace every 50 or 75k depending on year. The newer 2.0 HDi 136 is a better engine than the 2.2, but it still doesn't go as well as the TDCi 130 - most of which acually put out nearer 145PS once run in.
Size - I'd guess the C5 has the bigger load area, but the Mondeo is still pretty cavernous. If you regularly carry 3 adults in the back the C5 is much better for this the floor is virtually flat where the Mondeo has a raised transmission tunnel.
Equipment - Both are available with very high spec models that include everything. Earlier C5's were better specified that prefacelift Mondeo's generally, but all facelift Mondeo's bar the LX (03/53 on) come with climate control, cruise control, 4 electric windows and improved stereos. You are more likely to get ESP on a C5.
If you value ride over everything else, get a C5. The Mondeo doesn't ride badly, and it feels a lot lighter to drive and maneover.
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Well, as many in this forum will know, I drive a C5. Apart from the fact that Citroen made a real mess of the introduction of this car, with recall after recall, and one major fault, the rear suspension, not even the subject of a recall, it is better than OK. I have briefly driven an auto Mondeo TDCI (130 bhp version) and my first impression was that the engine has a gruffness to it that the 2.2 HDI hasn't. Nevertheless, the Mondeo is a good car.
Considering our C5 is one of the first, very little has gone wrong with it. I had the rear suspension sorted out, after a bit of resistance from the local dealer, and the replacement axle beam eliminated the rumbling noise that used to emanate from the rear end. I don't think it is cured the uneven wear on the rear tyres though, which is commonplace on C5s. The only expensive item to be replaced, that I had to pay for, was the window winding mechanism in one door. That was really annoying, as it jammed open without warning, on a wet, cold morning.
As far as fuel economy is concerned, I find it hard to see how 40+mpg shouldn't be easy to achieve with a manual gearbox, as I get around 36 to 37 mpg with an auto box, and that is with mixed motoring. With regard to driving characteristics, the car grew on me the more I drove it but I have found a change of tyres on the front, from Michelin Pilot Primacy to Primacy HP, has improved the handling noticeably. What I really like about it is the ride comfort and the smooth, quiet engine.
If I was looking to replace the car now, it would probably be another C5 (but with a manual gearbox), as the prices on the cars are so low. In addition to which, the new C5 looks better than the first incarnation. Our local dealer has a brand new 2.0 HDI VTR for £12995.
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What about a Mazda 6 estate.
Or an older Saab 9-5 estate.
And I really dislike the habitual slating of french cars - i must have been incredibly lucky though as i've owned two Citroen ZX's, a Renault 21, a Saxo VTR, a Xsara Exclusive, a Peugeot 406 2.0 HDi and never had anything more to do than routine maintenance/parts replacement. [new disks/pads/filters]
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He was being sarcastic. I don't think he's ever owned a non-French car.
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He was being sarcastic. I don't think he's ever owned a non-French car.
Me, be sarcastic?
Actually, my first three cars (well one a Ford van) were not French, one being an Austin 1100, the second the Escort van and the third an NSU 1000C. The NSU I, and then my wife, kept for about 8/9 years and, during that time it never failed us. The first French car I had experience of was my wife's Simca 1100, which was a real rotbox. Before the first of my French cars, a Peugeot 309, I had to endure a Marina and two Itals. Actually, the Marina and first Ital were pretty reliable. The third was a nightmare.
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